In this lesson, I plan to have students learn to (safely) observe the inner workings of a VCR, identifying levers and gears and estimating their mechanical advantage.
A5CompoundMach.jpg
I would also supplement this with the video The Way Things Go, which shows a Rube Goldberg machine made of junk in an old warehouse. Lots of levers, ramps, and wheel/axles to discuss, and a good introduction to their RGD project.